Project Runway Recap: Episode 5, "Welcome to the Jungle"

Project Runway Rundown: Episode Five, "Welcome to the Jungle"

On this week's Project Runway, Heidi told the contestants that they would be designing an outfit for a high-powered, glamorous woman. I loved that Blayne immediately thought of Hillary Clinton — and then groaned to the camera that the last thing he wanted to whip up was a neon pants suit. Lucky for him, the client was not a trail-blazing politico after all. In Project Runway-land, "high-powered woman" is usually another way of saying "stars in her own TV show — preferably on an NBC network."

The mystery guest was Brooke Shields, whose Lipstick Jungle character, Wendy, desperately needs a look that will take her from day to night. Did anyone else immediately flash to that '80s working-woman icon Day-to-Night Barbie?

While it wasn't the craziest challenge ever, I definitely was happy to sit back and watch the designers sketch and pitch their ideas to Ms. Shields. Plus, things always get interesting when designers are paired up, so I knew we were in for some highly entertaining television (and with Blayne's sketch among Brooke's choices, it couldn't have been boring). Another thing keeping this episode spicy: extremely colorful language all night, including Michael Kors calling one look "Slutty! Slutty! Slutty!" Let's discuss it together — just

.

Before I run through the collaborative looks, here are some other thoughts:

When Jerell ended up with Stella as his partner, he was so sweet to her that I had a feeling they'd work well together. They were pretty cute all night! I now have a soft spot for Jerell, his personal eclectic styling choices and all.

Last night provided one of those moments where you can really see how Tim's feedback can make or break a contestant. When he approached Korto and Joe about their big potato sack of a jacket, they listened and fixed it. I'm positive it saved them from the bottom two.

Best Tim line of the night: "I'm dubious."

Message to Blayne: Stop trying to make "Holla at your boy" happen.

Was it just me or did things get seriously potty-mouthed last night? I nearly spit out my drink when Jerell said, "Terri's running around like her sh*t don't stink." But that was nothing compared to Terri's "I don't know what he's packing: balls or vajayjay," in reference to Suede's lack of confidence. It was funny but a little on the trashtastic (trash-licious?) side for Project Runway.

As for the best and worst:

Jerell and Stella — Brooke loved their dress, although she wasn't thrilled about the belt (plus that was awfully literal with the jungle pattern). Heidi, on the other hand, loved the whole thing, and Michael thought the silhouette was gorgeous. I could see someone on the show wearing that; it just wasn't my personal taste, and I don't find that kind of silk around the boobs all that flattering.

Kelli and Daniel — This was the "Slutty!" look. First of all Daniel's defense of his "impeccable taste" made me so embarrassed for him, and even more so once Kenley started pointing and laughing at him. That was awkward and didn't seem appropriate in front of the judges. As for Kelli's design? It was atrocious and inappropriate for the challenge. I guess it made sense that she went home.

Keith and Kenley — Michael hit it on the head when he observed that these two probably brought out the best in each other. Kenley added some structure to Keith's free-flowing aesthetic that sometimes comes a little too close to Golden Girls territory, and Keith (well, and Tim) talked Kenley down from another Palm Beach-y print.

Blayne and Leanne — Ugh, what was Blayne thinking? First of all, why would a business woman wear that either to the office or out for drinks? Second of all, even as casual wear, his outfit looked so Forever 21, which is unacceptable at this level and for his client. That dude wears on me.

Was it fair to send Kelli home? Especially after we saw all the times Daniel messed up on the skirt? Did a cold shiver head down your spine when Nina stated that taste isn't something you can acquire and Kelli clearly didn't have it? And which would annoy you more: Stella's "leatha"-pounding or Kenley's laugh?

jerrell def should've won! his outfit was absolutely chic and wearable in the office, unlike keith's outfit...there's a reason that a chiffon skirt like that typically isn't worn in the office!
i've been disappointed with the judge's picks of the winning outfit lately. i think a number of second place outfits should've won: daniel's plastic cups dress, leeann's skirt and jerrell's outfit! lately, it seems like they've favored originality over beauty and marketability. in the end, this is a show about who would be the most successful designer, not who is necessarily the most innovative designer

I'm not sure why Jerell didn't win, because when that dress came down the runway, I immediately thought of Brooke Shields on that show. In fact, I'm pretty sure there was something very similar worn on Lipstick Jungle, that or Cashmere Mafia...same thing. Keith's dress reminded me of a potted plant with the floral top and the dirt-colored skirt. And it was so high-waisted that it would have been unflattering on Brooke Shield's curves. I think the main reason why Kelli went home instead of Blayne was because his outfit was actually well-made whereas Kelli's looked incredibly boxy and cheap.

I'm really glad Kelli went home: half because her look was awful ("slutty" for sure and SO poorly sewn) and half because she threw Daniel under the bus! That was just plain wrong!
Blayne's look was inappropriate, but at least it had a little quality and taste (compared to Kelli's).
I didn't really like any of last looks, to be honest, but Keith & Kenley's was clearly the best.
I adore Kenley (even her laugh)! But I really think that laughing-attack was a plant by the producers because no one had much of a reaction and she recovered so quickly.

i don't think that kelli should have gone home. i think her outfit that won the first challenge was AMAZING, and i'd be much more interested to see more from her than from blayne.
and i agree that it was ridiculous that Kenley just laughed at Daniel on the runway.
i feel very "underwhelmed" (to use a tim word) at the outfits so far. where is a little austin scarlett or christian??

Buzz: hilarious recap, you are right on all counts. Blaine's outfit was super Forever and he needs to stop begging for buzzword posterity. I loved Jerell and Stella's design, but felt they weren't thinking enough about Brooke's body or style when they made it. The dress was really edgy, but would probably work better on someone like Victory. I thought the winning design was perfect for her body and I loved the innovative butterfly sleeves-hope that catches on!

i dont mind that kelli went home, but i def thought that jarrell and stella should have won...their design was amazing. anyway blayne might have missed the point of the challenge but his outfit was impeccably made while kelli's just looked cheap.
anywho KENLEY IS SO ANNOYING. her voice is sooo grating and makes me want to mute the TV every time she is talking.

Kelli deserved to go. Never really like her or her stuff. I thought she was very creative...more so than Blayne. I am suprised she was kicked off...but I didn't like her so I didn't care. i thought the fabric she used looked cheap and Blayne was very wearable and cute. He should have made it for a different challenge.
I could not believe Kenley laughed when Daniel was speaking. Rudest. Thing. Ever. How could she do that? I mean backstage drama was one thing but laughing at a contestant when he was on the chopping block...rude.

I thought Jerell and Stella's outfit was great. I loved the colors the used.
As far as Blayne goes, Brooke Shields did okay the shorts ... And I think he he would have gone less casual with the top and made the shorts slightly less skin tight I would not have been awful...
The slutty dress could not have been saved... That aqua and leopard combo is always pretty cheap looking if you ask me. It is too teen club wear.

Haha Day to Night Barbie. I remmeber that.
I also felt Jerell's design should have won. It seemed like it fit the character and the show the best. Keith's was good too, but I don't see it in an office.
Blayne's outfit looked like something from the Gap. It would be ok for a 17 year old at a beach party, but thats about it. He needs to start listening to the challenge.
I thought Kelli and Daniel should have both been sent home. I'm so tired of Daniel's "high end fashion" spiel, only to see him consistently send poorly designed and executed stuff down the runway.
I think Daniel's days are numbered...he is just not that talented. Blayne at least has some skills, he just needs to get over himself (which could be also said of Kenley and about 5 other designers this season).

I have a suggestion for these posts.. I don't watch the show, but I would like to, and I find it hard to catch up when the pictures of the outfits aren't accompanied by the name of the person who designed them. Could that be included in the slideshow? I like reading these posts, I think they're interesting, but sometimes it's hard to figure out what y'all are talking about. :)

Kenley is definitely a bi-ya, however, she has a lot of talent to back it up. But the cackling was uncalled for.
I too now have a soft spot for Jerrell. Instead of pitching a fit, he and Stella were definitely the best working duo. He was absolutely sweet and even let her have her designing moment to shine with her beloved "leatha".
I too was taken aback by Terri's flushable-variety language...it made me uncomfortable.
And poor Blayne. That outfit certainly reeked of Forever 21...poor thing, I'm starting to think he might be the next to go...if we are truly basing this on a level of class.

Kenley is such a bitch. Ugh. I liked Jerell's dress a lot, but I knew the judges were going to pick Keith's design (which I liked as well). During the discussion time, the editing makes the judges seem like they favor one particular outfit, but it ALWAYS turns out that they pick what seems to be their second favorite. Whether intentional or not, this pattern is far too predictable.

Project Runway has been REALLY boring this season. I feel like we have already done this challenge a couple times before and none of the final outfits wowed me. If I had to pick, I think Jerrell and Stella's outfit should've won because I could actually see Brooke Shields wearing that for the show. I don't think Kelli should've gone home because I usually think that when it comes down to the final two, the person who should go home is the one who has done consistently worse than the other contestant (if that makes sense?). In this case, I think Blayne should've gone home but I think this was another case of the producers trying to keep around the contestants with "big personalities," like Stella and Blayne... :oy:

I wasn't that wowed either...it was nice, but not too different or exciting like something Jeff or Christian would've given us for the challenge.
I don't think they were ready to get rid of Blayne yet. He's too crazy of a character. I barely remembered Kelli's name...I think that played a decision in it as well.

I personally loved Jerell's dress, but I can see why they chose Keith's design.
I think Kenely is a beautiful girl and I like her style (with the exception of that monstrosity that stole the challenge from Leanne), but she's a bit of snotty brat and I'm growing to really not like her.
Blayne is a weird kid. I think they have to keep the weird kids as long as possible for the sake of DRAMA.

to be honest, i'm not wowed by any of the designers really so i'm not sure that i care much about who went home this time around. i feel like they edit the show very strangely that you don't see the key pieces...oh well.

It's like none of the designers really listened to Brooke's description of her character as someone who USED TO live that kind of bohemian life but now spends all day in an office and out at night schmoozing. Everything was so inappropriate for the office, and its obvious that the two best looks of the night were the only two that could pass as something you could wear to work and then out to dinner with clients/colleagues/executives.
I didn't know what to do with myself when Jerell's outfit turned out to be halfway decent. Normally, everything he does looks like it was made solely for circus freaks. I have no idea where this came from. While Stella's letha belt may have been a tad literal, it was impeccably made. And I agree that Keith and Kenley brought out the best in each other. While I'm not a fan of the color choices for their winning design, I love the concept of it and the shape. That skirt was really gorgeous, and the two-way sleeves? Genius.
I just wish the designers this season would freakin' listen to the challenge so we don't end up with more of the inappropriate crap sacks we got this week. Esp. Blayne. I can't believe Brooke even picked that.
Also, has anyone ever noticed before that, out of all the sketches we see, Kenley's are horribly drawn? That gives me hope for myself because my sketches are awful, too. Her clothes always turn out so well, though!